REI announced that it will open a third distribution center, located in Goodyear, Ariz. The 400,000 square-foot facility resides on 34 acres in the Phoenix suburb. REI expects the distribution center to be operational in July 2016 and employ approximately 120 employees.
The building will be designed using the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, aiming to achieve a minimum of LEED Gold certification. The goal is to reduce energy consumption in the building, reduce energy costs and provide a more comfortable working environment for employees. In addition, the company is pursuing ways to minimize water use inside and outside the building, particularly for cooling and landscaping needs.
“We are privileged to join the community of Goodyear as we expand our distribution capacity and services to the southwest market,” said Rick Bingle, REI’s vice president of Supply Chain. “The Goodyear distribution center will enable us to continue to focus on the needs of customers by moving our gear and apparel more quickly and efficiently, now and into the future.”
REI opened seven new stores in 2014, bringing the current total to 140 stores in 33 states. The new distribution center will serve approximately 40 of those stores. Once the Goodyear facility is up and running, the company will reach 20 percent more customers with two-day ground service, said the co-op.
The Goodyear facility will complement REI’s existing distribution centers in Sumner, Wash. and Bedford, Pa. REI said it selected Goodyear as the site for its new distribution center after looking at several other locations in the southwest region.
